"It's difficult when crazy sums of money are being bandied about but we need to keep Luka and all our best players if we are to improve.

"If we want to continue to challenge the top clubs in the Premier League then we simply have to get stronger - not weaker.”

"Luka is a fantastic player and we need to keep him at the club. We certainly don't want to sell him."

Chelsea had a £22 million bid for Modric rejected last month which enraged Levy and the White Hart Lane chief remains adamant his star will not be leaving this summer.

And with Inter boss Gian Piero Gasperini optimistic of retaining Wesley Sneijder, as well as Joao Moutinho committing his future to Porto, the Blues’ hopes of recruiting a midfielder could rest with €50 million rated Javier Pastore.

The Palermo star is wanted by a host of Europe’s top clubs but club President Maurizio Zamparini has stated that any deal for the Argentinean must be completed in less than 15 days.